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Future Problem & Addiction
Today is day 10 - I still don't feel great. Last night the rls was bad. How long until that part goes away ?
On a much more frightening note. I am blind in one eye. I was just diagnosed with having a cataract in my good eye and I need surgery. I'm 43 yrs old. I also have diabetic retinopathy (controlled) in my good eye so that makes the cataract surgery, potentially, more complicated.
When I have the surgery done, am I going to be "hooked" on pain killers again ?? Can I do something to avoid that happening ? So far, it looks like the surgery may be scheduled for the end of this month and I'm not looking forward to it because of the risks involved.
I'm stressed and having a hard time with this..
On a much more frightening note. I am blind in one eye. I was just diagnosed with having a cataract in my good eye and I need surgery. I'm 43 yrs old. I also have diabetic retinopathy (controlled) in my good eye so that makes the cataract surgery, potentially, more complicated.
When I have the surgery done, am I going to be "hooked" on pain killers again ?? Can I do something to avoid that happening ? So far, it looks like the surgery may be scheduled for the end of this month and I'm not looking forward to it because of the risks involved.
I'm stressed and having a hard time with this..
I have to disagree with you lurker. As somebody that has been through four eye surgeries (retinal) I can honestly say, that was the most painful surgery that I have ever had. The pain lasted for more than a month. The cataract surgery that I am going to have this month is not "routine" cataract surgery. There is retinal involvement because of the retinopathy. I will be getting a shot of steroid in the retina during and after the surgery to keep my retina from becoming inflamed and detached. I have two specialists that are going to be doing the surgery - I am putting all of my trust in their hands and in God's. My best girlfriend is an RN too..she works in CCU, .
JIm - I'm happy for you that you have a handle on your diabetes....Thats Great ! Those are really good a1c numbers. Since I went on an insulin pump five years ago, my a1c has been a consistent 5.8, which is why I have kept my retinopthy from becoming active. I only wish that I would have gotten on a pump a lot sooner Good control is the key and you seem to know that. God Bless and keep up the good work.
Be Well
JIm - I'm happy for you that you have a handle on your diabetes....Thats Great ! Those are really good a1c numbers. Since I went on an insulin pump five years ago, my a1c has been a consistent 5.8, which is why I have kept my retinopthy from becoming active. I only wish that I would have gotten on a pump a lot sooner Good control is the key and you seem to know that. God Bless and keep up the good work.
Be Well
Eye surgery is not typically painful. As a nurse, I've always been surprised by that. You shouldn't need pain meds at all after cataract surgery. Good luck!
Thank you freebird...I was diagnosed 2 years ago and I've managed to keep it under control though I'd like to get to where I'm off the meds (metformin). I do not need insulin and my blood sugar normally runs in the 110 range and my a1c 6.8
Jim
Jim
Jim - Thank you :) The Best of luck to you and to your wife.. I hope and pray that the specialist in Boston can help her and can prevent any more vision loss. Good luck with the appointment when you go to Boston. I'm sorry that you have diabetes. It's a bad disease when you have it for a long time, even when its controlled. I've lost two friends in the past 3 years to diabetic kidney disease, both were men and both were in their 50's, with plenty of life left to live. Take care of your eyes...get check ups often. I lost the vision in my left eye without warning and very quickly. Stay Well.
Kim - Your poor son ! That is so sad. I often wonder why doctors and scientists can't replace optic nerves and retinas ? It seems that with all of the eye diseases that we have today, technology would move along faster in that area. Maybe someday soon and maybe in your son's lifetime :)
I'm just looking forward to getting the surgery overwith so that I don't have to worry about it anymore. Thank you for your thoughts. Be Well and Hang in there.
Kim - Your poor son ! That is so sad. I often wonder why doctors and scientists can't replace optic nerves and retinas ? It seems that with all of the eye diseases that we have today, technology would move along faster in that area. Maybe someday soon and maybe in your son's lifetime :)
I'm just looking forward to getting the surgery overwith so that I don't have to worry about it anymore. Thank you for your thoughts. Be Well and Hang in there.
my son, christian, is blind in one eye too. he was hit in the eye with a golf club when he was only 5 years old. it severed his optic nerve so there was nothing that could be done. he didnt loose his eye though...only his vision.
freebird4good...i am glad that you are concerned about the pain meds after surgery. proves that you are serious about recovery. sorry about the need for surgery though :(
kim
freebird4good...i am glad that you are concerned about the pain meds after surgery. proves that you are serious about recovery. sorry about the need for surgery though :(
kim
Best of luck to you freebird, please keep us posted..as a diabetic myself I'm concerned with my eyes as well.
My wife's doctor told her today he wants her to see yet another specialist in Boston (we live in NH)...he has seen 1 case where somehow antibodies build in the remaining eye and ultimately lead to the removal of that eye as well..He does not suspect that with her but also wants to rule it out.
Yes, God could be speaking to you...
take good care and stay in touch
Jim
My wife's doctor told her today he wants her to see yet another specialist in Boston (we live in NH)...he has seen 1 case where somehow antibodies build in the remaining eye and ultimately lead to the removal of that eye as well..He does not suspect that with her but also wants to rule it out.
Yes, God could be speaking to you...
take good care and stay in touch
Jim
I'm sorry about your wife's eye disease. I hope that the doctors can find out what exactly is causing the problems and fix the problems asap. You two are in my prayers too.
Jim - I will ask about Advil or Motrin for pain after the surgery. Normal (routine) cataract surgery is usally done with a laser and is not terribly risky from what I understand.. Unfortunately, I am not having that type of routine surgery because of the diabetic eye disease (retina) that I have. The cataract surgery could "disturb a sleeping lion" as my doctor put it. My doc will be taking precautions by giving me a strong shot of steroid to keep the retina stable during surgery....yikes.. I'm in pain just thinking about it !
I have a pre op appointment next Friday. I'll ask the doc at that time what he thinks about how much pain I might be in after surgery.
Since Vic causes bleeding.(thin blood)..I'm glad that I stopped when I did....Hopefully it was soon enough. There is a risk with bleeding of my retina during surgery...that would cause a big problem. Maybe thats God's way of telling me..."See girl, one more reason that you don't need the vicodin".
Be Well
Jim - I will ask about Advil or Motrin for pain after the surgery. Normal (routine) cataract surgery is usally done with a laser and is not terribly risky from what I understand.. Unfortunately, I am not having that type of routine surgery because of the diabetic eye disease (retina) that I have. The cataract surgery could "disturb a sleeping lion" as my doctor put it. My doc will be taking precautions by giving me a strong shot of steroid to keep the retina stable during surgery....yikes.. I'm in pain just thinking about it !
I have a pre op appointment next Friday. I'll ask the doc at that time what he thinks about how much pain I might be in after surgery.
Since Vic causes bleeding.(thin blood)..I'm glad that I stopped when I did....Hopefully it was soon enough. There is a risk with bleeding of my retina during surgery...that would cause a big problem. Maybe thats God's way of telling me..."See girl, one more reason that you don't need the vicodin".
Be Well
I have found that advil has been helping my back where I used to use the vicodin..I take 800mg when it's bothering me and it takes the edge off.
My wife lost her eye due to some disease, the name of which I can't remember, that had been misdiagnosed and by the time they figured it out, it was too late, the eye had to go. She's had all sorts of issues with her good eye..her vision isn't all that great and there not sure what it is..they've ruled out retinitis pigmentosa, though she does have some retinal issues, and macular degeneration. She has occasional glaucoma and Iritis for which she is treated and things improve.
I would really discuss it with your doctor, have they discussed with you how much pain you might be in following the surgery? It could be that Advil or some other similar non narcotic med will do the trick.
Jim
My wife lost her eye due to some disease, the name of which I can't remember, that had been misdiagnosed and by the time they figured it out, it was too late, the eye had to go. She's had all sorts of issues with her good eye..her vision isn't all that great and there not sure what it is..they've ruled out retinitis pigmentosa, though she does have some retinal issues, and macular degeneration. She has occasional glaucoma and Iritis for which she is treated and things improve.
I would really discuss it with your doctor, have they discussed with you how much pain you might be in following the surgery? It could be that Advil or some other similar non narcotic med will do the trick.
Jim
Thank you for your advice. I appreciate it and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers..
I'm sorry about your wife's loss of vision. What happened to her eye (s) ?
I just scheduled the surgery for Oct. 24. I feel sick to my stomach from stress right now. Yes, I've been taking prozac everyday for over a year for anxiety and depression. I think that my body / brain are used to it and its not working as good now as it once did.
No, I haven't discussed the pain med issue with my doctor. I'm afraid to. What if I am in a lot of pain and can't stand it and need the meds ? The Doc might say "Oh shes a drug addict don't give her any pain medicine" I have a real low pain tolerance as it is. Thats how I got myself into this situation to begin with.
What would work for post surgical pain instead of a narcotic ? I'm willing to try anything if it means keeping me clean from Vicodin.
I'm sorry about your wife's loss of vision. What happened to her eye (s) ?
I just scheduled the surgery for Oct. 24. I feel sick to my stomach from stress right now. Yes, I've been taking prozac everyday for over a year for anxiety and depression. I think that my body / brain are used to it and its not working as good now as it once did.
No, I haven't discussed the pain med issue with my doctor. I'm afraid to. What if I am in a lot of pain and can't stand it and need the meds ? The Doc might say "Oh shes a drug addict don't give her any pain medicine" I have a real low pain tolerance as it is. Thats how I got myself into this situation to begin with.
What would work for post surgical pain instead of a narcotic ? I'm willing to try anything if it means keeping me clean from Vicodin.
I can kind of identify with your situation..my wife is blind in 1 eye (actually it's a prosthesis) and not very good vision in the other.
Have you discussed your concerns re: meds with your doctor? By the time of the surgery it will roughly 30 days for you, correct? If it were me, and I've discussed this with my doctor, I'd take the meds AS PRESCRIBED and flush 'em when no longer needed. I imagine other folks here might feel differently, so listen to what others say as well..as I don't know your whole story..
how about the stress? are you taking anything for that?
Best of luck..my thoughts/prayers are with you
Jim
Have you discussed your concerns re: meds with your doctor? By the time of the surgery it will roughly 30 days for you, correct? If it were me, and I've discussed this with my doctor, I'd take the meds AS PRESCRIBED and flush 'em when no longer needed. I imagine other folks here might feel differently, so listen to what others say as well..as I don't know your whole story..
how about the stress? are you taking anything for that?
Best of luck..my thoughts/prayers are with you
Jim
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